LONDON
HURST & BLACKETT, Ltd.
PATERNOSTER HOUSE
1912
PRINTED BY
THE GEORGE H BUCHANAN COMPANY
Philadelphia, U. S. A.
The Oracle of Ishtar and Nebo
Uttered by a Woman Baya (or Witch)
a Native of Arabela
| “I proclaim it aloud—What Has Been Will Be— I am Nebo—The Lord of the Writing Tablet— Glorify Me.” |
CONTENTS
| [Chapter I]—Prophetical and Other Cards | [27-57] |
| Divining cards—Tablets of fate—Tarots—Gambling cards—Their difference—Persiancards—Oldest emblems—Standard packs of Tarots—German designs—French designs—Rougeet Noir—Persia and Sweden—Writers on cards—The three gods—Derivation of name—Mercury and his predecessors—Writerof E-Sigalia—Fortune-telling—The priest of Thoth—Speech—Italian Tarots—L’Ombre—From leaves to cards—Attributesof Mercury—Atouts—de Gebelin—From arrows to cards—Gambling sticks of King Qa—Rods—Devices—Argiphontes—Cylleniusor Agoneus—Caduceator—Chthonius—The study of cards—Rods—Many authorities—Papus—Temple at Baiæ—Bookof Thoth—Addha-Nari—Heraldry—Tradesmen’s signs—Lady Mary WortleyMontagu—Terminus—Cestus—Pigs and tongues—Gazelle—Number Thirteen—Joker. | |
| [Chapter II]—The Book of Thoth, Hermes, and Nebo | [58-71] |
| Its leaves—Mercury’s attributes—Il Matto—Nebo—Tablets of fate—The Atouts—Theirsignificance—de Gebelin—Egyptian deities—Parchment records—Thoth the framer of laws—Bible of the gypsies—Attributes ofMercury—Interpretation—Balaam—The “baru”—Tête-á-Têtemysteries—The pack—L’Ombre—Skus—Pagat—Austrian Taroks—The romance of a pack of Tarots—Austriangames—Austrian game books—A clergyman on cards. | |
| [Chapter III]—Mercurius | [72-93] |
| The rank of Mercury—His occupations—His statues—Cadueceus—The purse bearer—Thesword—The cup of Hermes—The four symbols—Nebo’s temple—E-Sigalia—Pozzuoli—Itsmerchants—The Serapeon—Serapis—Roman villas—The temple of Mercury at Baiæ—Mercurius—His work—His parentage—HisInfancy—Gifts from the gods—Golden-leaved rod—Wings—The planet—Differentcognomens—Representations—Thoth—Inventions—Priests—Sirius—Hermes introduced by the Pelasgi—Booksof Thoth—Inventor of games—Great teacher—Titles of books—Connection with cards—Their scientific arrangement. | |
| [Chapter IV]—Thoth | [94-108] |
| M. Maspero’s description of temple—Mr. Rawlinson’s account—Psammetchas—Neboand Thoth—Symbols—The month—Its device—Tablet of Khufu or Cheops—Hieroglyphicallydescribed—Names of gods—Qualities and titles of Thoth—At judgment seat—Sacrifices—Books—Colleges—Priestessof Thoth—Khufu—Thotmes—Cleopatra’s needles—Generations of priests—Gypsies—Hermeticbooks—The ghosts—Book of knowledge—Itsboxes—Magical texts—Amulets—Ritual of the dead—Hall of two truths—Osiris—Confession—ThreeWritings—King of Sais—The dumb children—Some of the books of Thoth—The temple—Wall pictures—Origin of Atouts. | |
| [Chapter V]—Nebo or Nabu | [109-123] |
| Chaldean god—Different names—Parent—Wife—Presides at birth and death—Swordas symbol—Assyrian gods—King’s temples—Protector—Hymn to Nebo—Borsippa—E-Zida—Greatlibrary—Invocations—Titles—Emblems—Stylus—God of Revelations—Nabi,Naypes or prophet—Mr. Chatto’s derivation—Early cards in Italy—Planet—Assyrian gods identical with Roman gods—TheMoon—The month—Dog star—Sacrifices—Card emblems—Boar—Temples—Cult—Nebuchadnezzar—Allwise—Asshurbanipal—Assyrian invasion—Mingling of cults—Highway of Egypt—Cuneiform inscriptions—Tablets—Texts—Hymnto Nabu—Origin of letters. | |
| [Chapter VI]—The Atouts of the Tarots | [124-174] |
| Consultation of the divinities—Wave offerings—Prayers—Priests and Priestess—Hermeticbooks—Ishtar—Rods—Jackstraws—Rites—Graven images—Divining arrows—L’Ombre—Egyptiangods on the cards—Number One—The Pagat—Quotation—Baton de Jacob—Meaning of Rod—Choice of theboy—Lottery Chart—Aleph—Meaning—Bohasand Jakin—Initiation of youth—Tablets of fate—Korean superstitions—Fringes of temple—Numbers or letters—NumberTwo—La Papesse—Isis—Emblems—Qualities—Eve—Derivation of name—deGebelin—Juno—Emerald Tablet—Mr. Willshire—Juno’s worshippers—Ritual ofdead—Beth—Number Three—The Empress—Maut—Attributes—Significances—Figure—Gimel—Dress—Girdle—Titles—NumberFour—Emperor—Ammon—Daleth—Persian cards—Titles—Invocation—Number Five—LePapa—Phthah—Attributes—Hands—Fatima—Number Five’s Meaning—NumberSix—Lovers—Cupid—Significance—Vau—Symbolism—Number Seven—Chariot—Mysticmeanings—Zain—Arrows—Marked Yes and No—Chinese sticks—Mercury—Pythagoras—Theoccult seven—Three ages of the world—Seven evil spirits—Hymn to them in Assyric—Seven in the Bible—Otherreferences to that number—Number Eight—Justice—Ma or Truth—The Judge—Attributes—Tiemei—Heth—Ceres—Cups—NumberNine—The Hermit—Aspect—Diogenes—Significance—Rod—Texts—Typicalof shelter—Teth—Number Eight—Rota, Wheel of Fortune—Osiris—Anubis—Typhon—TheCircle—Wheels of Ezekiel and Pythagoras—Yod—Termius—Use of Yod—Anubis called the Lord of Burying Ground—Asjackal—Number Eleven—Strength—Mystic hat—Una—Amazons—Kaph—Goddess Neith—Emblems—Inscription on hershrine—Brides—Number Twelve—Il Pendu—Hangedman—Freemason’s signals—Pagat—Lamed—Its meanings—Vulcan—NumberThirteen—Death—Skeleton—Proverb—Horse of Aurora—Bad luck—Its reasons—Memand its meanings—Number Fourteen—Temperance—Nut or Nepte—Titles and description—Nun—Oil—Oblations—NumberFifteen—Devil—Set or Sutech—Parents—Title of Hyksos kings—Ears—Zam—Significances—NumberSixteen—Tower—Lighting god—Castle of Plutus—Rameses II and the thieves—Bael—Enlil—SecondDynasty of Ur—Dr. Radau’s translations—Goddess Nin-Mar’s hymn—Ayin—Number Seventeen—The stars—Dog star—Nebo’smountain—Hebe—Oblations—Gazelle—Typification—Number Eighteen—La Lune—Attributes—Tzaddi—Diana—NumberNineteen—The sun—Zoph—Ra and Rameses—Number Twenty—Day of Judgment—Resh—Significance—Pluto—Ishtar—Epitaphof Lord de Ros—Number Twenty-one—Le Monde—Verity—Four Apostolic emblems—Their manifold meanings—Tau—Le Fou orthe Joker—Mat—Emblems—Shin—Gypsies—Early Tarots—Intention of Atouts—Bible of Gypsies. | |
| [Chapter VII]—Pips of the Tarot Pack | [175-195] |
| Suits—Court cards—German, Spanish, Italian and French cards—Emblems of Mercury—Fourcastes—Lucky devices—Addha—Nari—Phallus—Cteis—Vau—Jod-He-Vau-He—Diviningarrows—Golden rod—Numbers 17—Symbols of the Israelites—Indian—Typicalof families—Chinese fortune-telling—Zeichiku—Meisir games of Arabia—Naib or prophet—Trèfle—Coppas—Assyriancup—Cup-bearers—Saki-bearer—Jamshid—Omar Kayyam—Golden cup—Texts—Hallof Two Truths—Osiris—Ma—Thoth—Espadas or Piques—Argiphontes—Meaningof sword in Hebrew—Pitch-pot—Money suit—Collars—Zones—Meaning of suits—Numericalvalue—Court cards—Their meaning—Seventy-eight Tarots—Rods of Aaron. | |
| [Chapter VIII]—Some Old Italian Tarots | [196-207] |
| Mysteries—St. Paul—Osiris—Bewildered historians—“Portrayed on the walls”—Nebo theWriter—Gypsies—The crossed palm—Spanish cards—The Egyptian fleet—Essay of Count Emiliano di Parravicino—Professionalteachers of early days—Cards belonging to the Duke di Visconti—The Royal pack—The artist da Tortona—A wedding gift—OldTarots—The artist Cicognara—Historic cards—The proverb—Fibbias Tarocci—Museum at Bergamo—Victoria and AlbertMuseum—Beautiful Tarots. | |
| [Chapter IX]—Hearts and Diamonds. Spades and Clubs | [208-221] |
| Oldest French pack—The costumes—CharlesVI—The marriage fête—The fire—OriginalFrench Piquet pack—Invention of French pips—Vignoles and Chevalier—Jacques Cœur—The Palace at Bourges—Money or Carreaux—Swordsor piques—Sticks or Tréfles—The pun—Red and black—The startling inquiry—Tarots, Playing Cards or the Bookof Thoth—Ignorance of writers—French cards born three hundred years ago—Vignolles—Chevalierand Jacques Cœur—Piquet—Agnes Sorel—Black and red—de Gebelin’s history—Confusion—Discussion—Prejudice. | |
| [Chapter X]—Court Cards with French Pips | [222-244] |
| Paio—Stock—Widow—Bunch—Pips—Court cards—Their historic derivation—The numberof pip and court cards—The Joker—His origin in America—Cunning Mercury—Fantasticdesigns—Conservative court dresses—Double-headed and index cards—Costume of the Kings—Their attributes and headgear—Charlesof France—Old Tarots in Paris—French cards—The names on the French cards—La Hire—The dress of the knaves—Theirattributes—Patch the court fool—Nicknames—The Bowers—Skat—Le Valet—LeFante—Il Soto—Der Ober—Der Unter—The Queens—Elizabeth of York—Her husband’s picture—The history of Elizabeth ourQueen of Cards—Her birth, education, betrothal and costume—The jilting Dauphin—Louis XI—Marriage—The poem—Thecredulous queen—The elegy of Sir Thomas More—Elizabeth’s effigy in WestminsterAbbey—Card backs—Messages and invitations. | |
| [Chapter XI]—Point Cards with French Pips | [245-252] |
| The Pique—Its names—Dr. Stukley’s cards—A Picke—Clubs, the emblem of Agnes Sorel—Hearts—TheAce—The Earl of Cork—Le Borgne—Spanish nicknames—The Deuce—The curse of Scotland—Duke of Cumberland—Chinesecard and counter boxes—Pope Joan—Trey—Nicknames for the four and five spots—“Grace’s card”—Lady DorothyNevill—The origin of visiting cards—The backs—Derivation of the name of Tarot—The reverse designs—Dolls and their furniturefrom cards—Thackeray’s invitation—Sir Jeffry Amhurst’s bid to a ball—Luck at Piquet. | |
| [Chapter XII]—“According to Hoyle” | [253-276] |
| The original game played with cards—L’Ombre and its successors—Manilla—TheMatadores—Spadille—Nine of Money—The game described in “Cranford”—Punto—Primero—Philipof Spain—Piquet in England—Earl of Northumberland’s letters—Sidney papers—Sir Walter Raleigh—Theterms used in Primero—Its Italian rules—Rabelais—Shakespeare’s and other plays—Termsused in Primero—The games that succeeded it—Mawe—Noddy—Gleek—Termsand nicknames used—Ruff, Whisk or Whist—Piquet—Its inventors, Rules,Hands—Ballet—References—Piquet or Cent—Politicalsatire—Hamlet’s speech—“The age is grown so picked”—Euchre—“HeathenChinee”—American Hoyle—History of Euchre—Dialect—Bower or youngster—Euchre derived from Juch—The Germanwords—An unreliable derivation—Poker—Jack-pot—Widow and Kitty—Poker, Patience—Rulesof game—According to Hoyle—His birth and history—The story of Whist—Hoyle’s rules—Cavendish. | |
| [Chapter XIII]—Engraved Cards | [277-291] |
| Print lovers—Invention of Xylographic arts—Earliest wood cuts—Double purposes—Rareprints—Gregineur—Dr. Stuckley’s pack—Cologne engraved cards—Spanish pips—Germanemblems—Martin Schoengaur—Le Maître—His designs—E. S.—Augsburg—Itsguild of cardmakers—The cards of Nuremburg—Jost Ammon—His productions—Italian and Netherland cards. | |
| [Chapter XIV]—Playing Cards for Educational and other Purposes | [292-307] |
| Invectives from State and Church—Destruction in Nuremburg—Its Museum—“TheDevil’s Picture Books”—Bishop Latimer—The Text—German instructive cards—Thoseof China and Japan—The Friend’s cards—Dr. Muruer’s cards—Louis XIV’s cards—Historyof France—Heraldic cards—Political and other packs—Cards with Mercury’semblems—Harlequin cards—Musical packs—Japanesecards—Cards as Christian and Jewish Prayer Books—Grammatical cards—Plato’sadvice—A tract—Astronomical and religious packs—Historical cards of the United States—Proverbs. | |
| [Chapter XV]—European Playing Cards | [308-321] |
| Cards—Charles V—Proclamation in Paris—Red Book of Ulm—Palamedes and the siege of Troy—Egyptiangambling rods—Cards as postals—Evolution—M. Angelo—Prince of Pisa—Maffei Ringhierri Feliceano andMenesturier—Singer—Chatto, 1392—St. Cyprian—Nearsighted writers—The points of view—Concealed practices—Thegame of gold—Chinese legend—Connection with divination—Count de Gebelin—“The great dreamer”—Connection with magic—FirstFrench cards—Rouge et noir—Rapid spread through Europe—The sailorswith Columbus—Introduction of cards into America—Italian verses—Pictures—Literature. | |
| [Chapter XVI]—Asiatic Playing Cards | [322-340] |
| Discoveries of Messrs. Cushing and Culin—Arrows of Divination—The Magi beforePharaoh—The Rod of Moses at Horeb—The connection between arrows and cards—Koreancards—Alaskan rods—The game—Hida Island Indian rods—The next step—Htou-Tjyen or “Fighting arrows”—Chineselotteries and cards—Derivation of pips—Actor’scards—Jokers called Blessings—Educational cards—Japanese cards—Historical,gambling and divining arrows—Poetic cards—Cashmere cards—Persian cards—Their emblems. | |
| [Chapter XVII]—Chess and Other Games | [341-364] |
| Chess a battlefield—The Emperor Akbar and his queen—Lady Dufferin’s description of the Palace of Glass—LivingChess—Two Jokers—Derivation of Chess—Troy—Crete—Nig—Egyptian caricature—Korean Chess—Set in BritishMuseum—Chess from Brahmins—Ravan, king of Ceylon—Seffa’s trick—Persian words—Jussef’s escape—Mora—Draughts—ThePharaoh—Greek and Roman names—French games—Checkers—Korean “horses”—Dice—Germandice cards—Korean dice—Dominoes—Jackstones—Materials—Ball—Pieces—Kong-Keui—Chineseand Korean games—The sets—Muggins—Milking the cow—Grab—Peas in the pot—Horses in andout of the stable—Sweeping the floor—Spreading the table—Laying eggs—Settingeggs—Hatching eggs—Jackstraws—A set described—Their values. | |
| [Chapter XVIII]—Fortune-Telling Through the Cards | [365-383] |
| Methods—Etteila—Le Normand—Fortune-telling cards—Rules—Meanings of cardswith French pips—A fortune told—The hairdresser of Paris—TheFirst Napoleon—Les hautes sciences—Deductions of the fortune-teller—Papus—Definition of suits—Key tothe pip cards of the Tarots—Staves, Cups, Swords and Money—Rules for reading the cards. | |
| [Chapter XIX]—Reading the Book of Thoth | [384-392] |
| Rules—The first diagram—Directions for divination—The young man’s career—A secondgame with its rules—To establish fluidic sympathy—The fourth deal—Etteila’s method. |