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FIGURES OF THE PLANETS
SATURN. An old man holding a curved scythe in his hand and with a not very heavy beard. Engraved on a stone of the nature of Saturn, it renders the wearer powerful and augments his power continually.
JUPITER. A seated figure, sometimes in a chariot, holding a staff in one hand and a spear in the other. It renders the wearer fortunate, especially if engraved on a Kabratis stone, and he easily gains what he wishes, especially from priests. He will be raised to honors and dignities.
MARS. Represented sometimes with a banner and sometimes with a lance or other weapon. He is, indeed, always armed and at times mounted on a horse. Gives victory, boldness in war, and success in everything, especially if engraved on an appropriate stone.
SUN. Sometimes as the solar disk with rays, sometimes as a man in a chariot, and this occasionally is surrounded by the signs of the zodiac. Renders the wearer powerful and a victor; this gem is prized by hunters.
VENUS Many forms, among them that of a woman with a voluminous dress and a stole, holding a laurel in her hand. Gives skill in handling affairs and usually brings them to a successful issue; removes the fear of drowning.
MERCURY. Figure of a slender man, usually with a beautiful beard, but sometimes without. He has winged feet and holds the caduceus. Increases knowledge and confers eloquence. It aids merchants, enabling them to acquire wealth.
MOON. Various forms. Sometimes as a crescent, sometimes as a young woman in a chariot and holding a quiver, and at others as a woman with a quiver and following the chase with dogs. Aids the fortunes of those who are sent on an embassy, and enables them to acquire wealth and honor thereby. Is said to confer speed and facility in under-takings and a happy issues. (Camilli Leonardi, "Speculum Lapidum," Venetia, 1502, f. liii.)
When Hudibras attacked and overcame the sorcerer Sidrophal, he rifled the latter's pockets of all his mystic treasures. Among these were
Several constellation stones, Engraved in planetary hours, That over mortals had strange powers, To make them thrive in law or trade, And stab or poison to evade, In wit and wisdom to improve, And be victorious in love. (Butler, "Hudibras," Part II, Canto III, 11, 1096-1103.)
These manifold influences exerted by the stars and planets through the medium of the gems, not only concerned those actually present in a material form, but also those that were seen in dreams, and interpretations of such dreams are given by old writers. |
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Precious Stones Guide Vol 9
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