XVII

THE STAR----L'ETOILE

You must become thoroughly acquainted with the planets and also with the fixed stars. When their names are mastered, their influences must be learned; you must discover the particular hours and in what sign the Psyche of the World pours forth from her two goblets the waters of life like two rivers.

Learn both day and night hourse, in order that you may select such as are most suitable for the work you wish to perform.

The midnight hour is marked by the special tendency toward the appearance of phantoms. The first and second hours, which follow, are solemn and sad for those who are ill or are sleepless. During the thrid hour the sufferer from insomnia falls asleep; the fourth, fifth, and sixth are calm, and lead to a healthy repose in sleep.

The seventh and eighth hours of morning are of a voluptuous nature; the ninth, tenth, and eleventh are very suitable for works of friendship; the mid-day hour is a time of heedlessness and languor in summer, and of a sense of well-being in winter.

You should find your own particular Planet in the sky; your intuition should guide you in discovering it; and when found you should salute it with reverence every night that you see it shining down upon you. The genius of this star must be invoked in your conjurations, and the allotted name of the star may be worked out by means of the learned tables and Kabalistic permutations designed by Trithemius and Agrippa.

You should then make a talisman of sympathy to connect the planetary forces with yourself; make it of the metal of the planet which presided at your birth (the lord of the ascendant of your natus); engrave upon this plate of metal the sign of the Microcosm with the numbers of your name, the numbers related to the planet or star, and the name of the genius.

When you are seeking divine inspiration gaze at your star, holding the talisman with your left hand pressing it against your heart; if it be daytime, or the star be invisible, gaze upon the talisman itself, and recite the name of the genius or spirit of the star, three times.

When you see the star become brilliant and glitter in response to your aspiration, be of good hope for success; but should it be seen to pale at your glance, then be very prudent and take the greatest care of yourself.

Notes

The Tarot Trump numbered 17 is called the Star. It represents an entirely nude female figure kneeling on land and sea, and pouring a liquid out of a vase in each hand; the streams form a river at her feet. Above is str of eight rays, and seven smaller stars surround it. There is a bushy tree growing at her right side, and upon it the bird of Hermes has alighted.

The meanings given to this Tarot Trump by Levi are: Immortality, thought, the influence of idea upon form, the heaven of the soul.

Christian gives us its meanings: Immortality, the internal illumination which guides men to choose the better path, and hope. He says the figure is represented nude to point out that even when man is robbed of all his possessions, he may still retain hope.

XVIII

THE MOON---LA LUNE

The Moon exercises a very considerable amount of influence upon the magnetic fluid of the earth, as is shown by the ebb and flow of the waters of the seas; you should then examine carefully the effects of the influences of the Moon in her several phases, and take note of the days and hours of the Moon's course. The quarter of the New Moon is favourable for the commencement of all magical enterprises; the first quarter gives an influence of heat, the full moon an influence of dryness, and the last quarter a cold influence.

These are the special characters of the days of the Moon, distinguished by the twenty-two Tarot Keys and the signs of the Seven Planets.

I. The Juggler, or the Magus. The first day of the Lunar course: the Moon was created, says Rabbi Moses, on the fourth day.

II. The Gnosis, or La Papesse. The second day, whose genius is named Enodiel, the fish and

birds were created; it is propitious for the works of occult science.

III. The Mother, or Empress. The third day saw the creation of humanity. The Kabalists often

call the Moon by the name Mother, and allot the number three to her: this day is propitious

for generation.

IV. The Despot, or Emperor. The fourth day is baneful, for on this day Cain was born; but it is a

powerful day for unjust and tyrannical acts.

V. The Pope, or Priest. The fifth is a day of happiness; it was the birthday of Abel.

VI. The Lovers, or the Struggle. Birth of Lamech, a day marked by contest and anger; suitable for

conspirators and for revolt.

VII. The Chariot. Birth of Hebron; a day very propitious for religious ceremonial.

VIII. Justice. Death of Abel; the day of expiation.

IX. The Hermit. Birth of Methuselah; a day of joy for children.

X. The Wheel of Fortune. Birth of Nebuchadnezzar; a day for conjurations of plagues; a baneful

day: reign of brute force.

XI. Strength. Birth of Noah. The visions of the day are deceitful; but children born this day are

healthy and long lived.

XII. The Hanged Man, the Tau. Birth of Samael; a day favourable for Kabalah and prophecy, and

for the accomplishment of the Great Work.

XIII. Death. Birth of Canaan, the cursed son of Ham; an evil day and an evil number.

XIV. Temperance. Benediction of Noah. On this day Cassiel of the hierarchy of Auriel presides.

XV. The Devil, or Typhon. Birth of Ishmael; a day of reproof and exile.

XVI. The Tower. Birth of Esau and Jacob; the latter is predestined to ruin Esau.

XVII. The Star. The Ruin of Sodom and Gomorrah; this day is under the rule of Scorpio. Health

for the good, ruin for evil persons; dangerous when it falls on a Saturday.

XVIII. The Moon. Birth of Isaac; a day of good augury.

XIX. The Sun. Birth of Pharaoh; a day of danger.

XX. The Judgement. Birth of Judah; a day propitious for divine revelations.

XXI. The World or the Sphynx. Birth of Saul; a day for physical force and material prosperity.

XXII. Saturn. The birth of Job.

XXIII. Venus. The birth of Benjamin.

XXIV. Jupiter. The birth of Japhet.

XXV. Mercury. The Tenth plague of Egypt.

XXVI. Mars. The passage of the Red Sea by the Israelites.

XXVII. Luna. The victory of Judas Maccabeus.

XXVIII. Sol. Samson carries off the gates of Gaza.

XXIX. The Tarot Trump called Le Fou, the unwise man; a day of abortion.

Notes

The Tarot Trump, No. xviii., represents the Moon in the sky letting fall drops of dew; below is the land on which stand two towers, and between them are a dog and a wolf; in the foreground is water in which a crayfish is swimming.

The occult meanings ascribed to this trump by Lev are: The elements, the visible world, reflected light and symbolism.

Christian says that the meanings are the abyss of the infinite; the shadow which enshrouds the human ego when it accepts the rule of the instincts unchecked by spiritual aims; and on the lowest plane, the assaults of hidden enemies.