THE BOOK OF TALISMANS, AMULETS AND ZODIACAL GEMS

THE BOOK OF TALISMANS, AMULETS AND ZODIACAL GEMS

 

Preface

THE subject of Talismans and Gems of the Zodiac covers a wide area, and the difficulty of
arriving at a definite conclusion is increased because of the varying opinions between writers on
these subjects as to the stones referred to, or intended by the Ancients, complicated still further
by the different languages from which these records have been translated, and where Month or
Zodiacal gems are referred to many of the writers are obviously unacquainted with Astrology or
Astronomy.
The present volume, being the result of many years of study and research, it is not easy in all
cases to specify the original source of our information, which has been collected, not only from
ancient and modern writings, but also from personal experience and experiments, noted at the
lime they occurred, long before this book was contemplated. Again, we find that many, and more
especially modern authors, quote from one another in places, and the original source of the
information is obscure; we have, therefore, endeavoured to give as far as possible our authorities,
although, owing to the antiquity of the subject, much is necessarily left to deduction and
conjecture; and it is more than probable there may be unintentional omissions, to remedy which
we give a list of books that we have at different times consulted and studied with advantage.
We have endeavoured throughout to make the subjects dealt with as interesting as possible ,
believing that the symbols expressing the faiths of bygone days form the basis of occult forces, a
proper understanding of which is becoming more and more recognised by scientists as necessary
in the interests of progress at the present day.
It will be noticed that many of the gems have similar qualities attributed to them which,
according to the ancient authorities, were specifically arranged for the benefit of those types
whose planetary aspects brought them into harmony with the particular stone specified.
With regard to characteristics dealt with in the second part of the book, this must be regarded
as general, and liable to variation according to the remaining Planetary influences, which would
be indicated in a horoscope. With this proviso, the information given will be found reliable and
very helpful in giving a knowledge of our own dispositions and those of our friends and
associates and should pave the way to a sympathy and understanding impossible without this
knowledge. It will also afford a simple and easy means of at least proving there is something in
Astrology, and if interest is aroused the fullest information may be obtained by a study of the
books mentioned, dealing with the subject.
We have greatly benefited from the assistance given us by Mrs. G. M. Walker in lending us
scarce and valuable books for reference, and by G. H. Greenop, Esq., kindly translating many old
Greek and Latin writings; we should also like to acknowledge our obligations to the Directors of
the British Museum for the facilities given in obtaining information, and their permission to
make drawings from the actual Talismans in their collections.

WM. THOS. PAVITT
17 HANOVER SQUARE, LONDON, W. 3rd August, 1914

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