THE WRITING OF THE STARS
315
the configurations are frequently arbitrary in the highest degree, and upon the indication of a single star, for example,
we can a
1
n>
see no reason
why
a 1 should be traced rather than
four stars will also give indifferently a n, n, or as well as an X. are therefore deterred from reproor a
T
;
We
ducing a copy of Gaffarel's planisphere, examples of which It was included in the are, moreover, not exceedingly rare. work of Montfau^on on the religions and superstitions of the world, and also in the treatise upon magic published by the mystic Eckartshausen. Scholars, moreover, are unagreed upon the configuration of the letters of the primitive alpha-
The
bet.
much
Italian Tarot, of
which the
to be regretted, connects
lost
Gothic originals
by the
disposition of its figures with the Hebrew alphabet in use after the captivity, and known as the Assyrian alphabet ; but there are frag-
are
ments of anterior Tarots where the disposition is different. There should be no conjecture in matters of research, and hence we suspend our judgment in the expectation of fresh and more conclusive discoveries. As to the alphabet of the stars,
we
clouds,
believe
it
which seem
to be intuitive, like the configuration of to assume any form that imagination
lends them.
Star-groups are like points in geomancy or the pasteboards of cartomancy. They are a pretext for selfan fix and determine native ininstrument to magnetising, tuition.
Thus, a kabbalist, familiar with mystic hieroglyphics, which will not be discerned
will perceive signs in the stars
by a simple shepherd, but the shepherd, on his part, will observe combinations that will escape the kabbalist. Country people substitute a rake for the belt and sword of Orion, while kabbalist recognises in the same sign as a whole all the lysteries of Ezekiel, the ten sephiroth arranged in a triadic lanner, a central triangle formed of four stars, then a line three stars making the jod, and the two figures taken jether expressing the mysteries of Bereschith ; finally, four
le
constituting the wheels of Mercavah, and completing divine chariot. Looked at after another manner, and
mging other
ideal lines,
he will notice a well-formed