Art Magic

"It may be naturally supposed that this kind of experiment requires certain conditions, the first of which is to find an individual endowed with this kind of vision. Nothing in general in psychological facts. There was much talk at one time of the magic mirror of Dr. Dee, which was sold, in 1842, among the curiosities in the possession of Horace Walpole, at Strawberry Hill, for the enormous sum of three hundred and twenty-six francs. It was simply a bit of sea-coal, perfectly polished, cut in a circular form, with a handle. This curiosity formerly figured in the cabinet of the Earl of Peterborough. In the catalogue it was thus described: 'A black stone, by means of which Doctor Dee evoked spirits.' It passed from the hands of the Earl into those of Lady Elizabeth Germaine, then became the property of John, last Duke of Argyll, whose grandson, Lord Campbell, presented it to Walpole. The author of the 'Theatrum Chemicum,' Elias Ashmole, speaks of the same mirror in the following terms.

"'by the aid of this magic stone, we can see whatever persons we desire, no matter in what part of the world they be, and were they hidden in the most retired apartments, or even in the caverns in the bowels of the earth.' John Dee, born in London, in 1527, was the son of a wine-merchant; he studied the sciences with success, and devoted himself, at an early period, to judicial astrology; Queen Elizabeth took him under her protection; he composed several useful works, employed much of his time in the science of magic, conjured spirits, made predictions, and beheld the invisible; when he had discovered his mirror he returned thanksgivings to God. He was occupied during his whole life in the search for the philosopher's stone, and died in London at the age of eighty-four, in a state of abject poverty.

"The Count de Laborde brought us a somewhat similar secret from Egypt. The Baron Dupotet communicated a like one to his subscribers, in his Journal de Magnetisme; one is much more simplified than the other, and succeeds equally as well. M. de Laborde evokes; makes use of perfumes and stands in need of the cooperation of spirits. M. Dupotet seems only to employ the magnetism of thought. Cagliostro also employed a magnetism, but little suspected, by placing on e hand on the head of his pupils. The Sorcerers of our country places proceed in like manner, with the first mirror met with, imploring the assistance of the spirits that facilitate such experiments.

"M. de Laborde makes use of a brilliant ink which he puts in the hollow of the looker's hand, and stimulates his nervous system by perfumes. M. Dupotet makes use of a piece of coal with which he describes a circle on the floor with the intention of making perceptible to the person operated upon, such picture as the latter desires; he keeps the subject inclined for this experiment by thought. Sorcerers have their reputation, which is of great assistance to them. Certain prepossessions against such or such a person suspected of theft or aught else, their imposing air, their supplication to spirits, without knowing positively the meaning of what they say, this suffices, and they operate!

"Leon, of whom I have spoken, followed in their steps. Prayer, faith and a disposition of the visual organs facilitated his experiments. Cagliostro, preceded by his reputation as an incomprehensible man, was often successful in consequence of the fact he displayed in selecting his pupils, the occult magnetism he employed, etc.; but if I ask Messrs. de Laborde, Dupotet, Cagliostro, the sorcerers, Leon and others, whether they themselves saw in their mirrors or reflecting body, they will reply no; therefore, there must be a disposition for this kind of experiment; we must be influenced by an imposing display, an occult magnetism, or the aid of invocations and perfumes. Wherefore, in order to profit by my mirror, I would advise the ceremony to be performed with a certain dignity, and to have recourse only to what may act on the imagination or nerves, as much by a normal or spiritual magnetism as by the assistance of perfumes. All those that bear or shed a sweet, pleasant smell, are suitable for the good spirits; such as incense, musk, gum-lac, etc., and for evil spirits, the seeds of henbane, hemp, belladonna, anise, or coriander, etc. Each seeks his own atmosphere, or one akin to it; but, above all, shun the assistance of evil spirits. Let the spirit of justice, discretion, humanity predominate in you; or otherwise, woe betide you!

"It will not, perhaps, be comprehended why I should recommend shunning the invocation of evil spirits, and yet make known the perfumes they delight in. I presume that I shall be thought sufficiently consistent to speak here only of the apparitions we desire to obtain, on the score of thefts, or other crimes, committed to your prejudice. It is the spirits of such culprits who will obey your command to present themselves, and seek the nauseous smell of these perfumes. You have nothing to fear from them, since, on the contrary, they have everything to fear from you. What I recommend you avoid, when demanding apparitions of those you desire to see is pronouncing words, the meaning of which is unknown to you, that invite baneful spirits to your assistance. This is true Magic."....

When M. Cahagnet informs his readers that the distinguished operators whose experiences he cites do not themselves see aught in their mirror, he omits to add that the assistance of one predisposed to magnetic seership is essential, in fact a magnetized subject is necessary to the success of these methods, unless the operator is himself a Medium or Seer. It will be asked by the intelligent reader if a Medium or Seer is essential to the success of experiments by the mirror or crystal, why may not the said Medium or Seer behold in vision, and without the aid of the instruments, all he desires? To this we answer the magnetism of the operator, the psychological influence of the invocation and the fixidity of the gaze riveted upon the shining surface of the mirror are aids to lucidity - though not its primal source - but our opinions on the subject of Magic and natural mediumship have already been given in detail and we only add accounts of the methods recommended and practiced by celebrated modern Experts to supplement our views of ancient - with modern magic. For this purpose we subjoin the following communication given to a successful Adept of the present generation by a Planetary spirit - the guardian of his mirror - when questioned concerning the best method of divination, also of receiving communications from spirits. The words appeared on the mirror inscribed therein by the spirit, and were read off by the Adept:

"The best and most ancient method of divination was by the Crystal, or Urim and Thummim.

"It's origin was divine, and the inspiration, visions and communications received through this source, when man was pure and holy, were free from all human agency, wholly divine. The use of the crystal in modern times, is almost as potent as the Urim and Thummim of the Jews, and provided it is in the hands of one gifted with clear sight, its revelations are infallible.

"Spirits do not actually appear in the crystal, but the seer is magnetically assisted to look through its pellucid depths into the spirit world. In this way he or she is brought in such near contact with spirits that they can readily converse with mortals." ....

Another planetary spirit, questioned on the same subject, said:

"Whenever guardian spirits, or angels of the higher orders move in the spirit world, the air that surrounds them is cleared of everything that is, in any degree, more gross than themselves.

"Thus, if an atmospheric spirit meet a more heavenly spirit, the atmospheric spirit yields to the pressure of the air that surrounds the other, and retires to let him pass. In this way spirits visit the atmosphere, and the spheres lower than their own, also the earth, without once coming in contact with those below him, unless he wishes to do so. Thus, too, when he is 'called' to converse with human beings, the Invocant's thoughts, or rather will, immediately reach him, and he appears separating and sending before him all influences less angelical than his own.

"Guardian spirits and angels of high degree are only seen in the Urim and Thummim, the crystal and the mirror, the other modes of divining, by vessels of water, by circle work, by shades, by bands, or black fluids, are only available for seeing deceased persons, atmospheric spirits, wandering spirits, evil or undeveloped spirits."

The following method, especially commendable for its simplicity, has been frequently employed with success in magical evocations of Planetary or other spirits by Adepts in the nineteenth century.

It is selected from hundreds of others in the author's possession, chiefly from the perspicuity of its wording, and the absence of mystic assumptions.

Its composition is attributed to the celebrated Astrologer and Crystal Seer, Nostradamus.

DIRECTIONS FOR CRYSTAL SEEING.

"Having procured a good, clear stone, one that no spirit has been called into before, the Seer must determine to use it for no bad purpose. I do not say determine to use it only for good purposes, because many frivolous and trifling things might occur that would induce one to use it for the knowledge of things appertaining to the world; but, having determined to use it for no bad or unholy purpose, he should dedicate it first with a fervent prayer to God.

"Do not make use of a mediator, but firmly, yet humbly, trust that God will put you in possession of a Guardian Spirit that will show you the visions you may thereafter wish."

"Having done this, inspect the Crystal, and before asking to see any vision, ask first to see the name of your Guardian Spirit; having done this, ask to see him; when he appears, ask him to give you any advice he may deem fit in using it. Ask him to name the days and hours that he will appear, and also those on which you may call other spirits. Ask him to become the Guardian Spirit of your Crystal; to prevent any evil spirit from appearing, and to give you timely notice of anything about to happen to you, that you may prevent it, or that he may prevent it for you.

"This done, you must discharge him. He should not be kept more than half an hour at the first meeting.

When you invoke him the next time, exorcise with a strong and determined will three times before you ask him any questions; if at those three times he does not vanish, you may perfectly rely upon him.

"After the first time, you may keep him as long as it may suit yours and his convenience; if he wishes to leave, he can do so without a discharge; but be careful that you always use a discharge after having finished of a night.

"When invoking any Atmospheric Spirit, or a spirit of any inferior degree, such as those of living as well as dead people, always use the term 'if convenient and agreeable,' etc.; or, 'at your pleasure;' but more particularly of a living person; to your Guardian Spirit, or a Spirit of a High order, it is not necessary.

"But above all, do not use it in any way, or make it directly or indirectly an object for the gaining of money. It may appear to go on smoothly for a few times. You may have the information and the visions you wish for; but in the end the consequences are lamentable, and they come sooner or later.

"When you have got used to a Crystal, feel confidence in it, and assured in many ways of the Truth of it, then you can use a Mirror, which is by a very great deal the best.

"The Mirror is to be used the same as a Crystal, but from seeing visions so large and life-like, and from the size of the aperture which is made by that into the spiritual world, it enables you to come more closely in contact with the spirits you address.

"Of all modes of divining, this is the easiest and the best, the information is given slowly at first, then gradually more and more, until you reach the grand height of all human knowledge upon spiritual matters, until you know as much as the human mind can in any way comprehend of what passes beyond its own World."

THE CALL

"In the name of the Almighty God, in whom we live and move and have our being, I humbly beseech the Guardian Spirit of this Mirror or Crystal to appear.

"When appeared you can ask your questions, and obtain instructions as to Calling - asking when he will allow you to call him again, and fix his time for appearing.

FOR A VISION.

"In the name, etc., I humbly beseech the Spirit of this Mirror to favor me with a Vision that will interest or instruct us (or favor us with a Vision of such and such a place or event, etc.).

TO SEE A PERSON.

"In the name, etc., Then say, R. B. be pleased to appear in this Mirror if convenient and agreeable. (Never fail in this.)

EXORCISM.

"In the name of the Almighty God, in whom we live and move and have our being, I dismiss the Spirit now visible in this Mirror if he is not" - "or if he is not a good and truthful Spirit.

"This must be said very intently and strongly three times, with the finger upon the Crystal, whenever a Spirit is from any cause suspected.

DISCHARGE.

"In the name, etc., I dismiss from this Mirror all Spirits that may have appeared therein, and the peace of God be between them and us forever.

"This must be said three times upon closing, even if Spirits are not seen, as they may have entered, and its neglect will soon spoil the Mirror or Crystal."